Senior Counsel

About the role

• Complex Cases. Real Autonomy. Leadership That Has Your Back.
• Senior Counsel | New Jersey
• An active New Jersey Bar license is required.
• You know New Jersey litigation. You understand the courts, the clients, the carriers, and what it takes to move a significant case from early evaluation through resolution or trial.
• Now you want a practice where you can use that experience.
• Tyson & Mendes is growing our New Jersey office, and we are looking for an experienced insurance defense attorney who wants sophisticated work, meaningful autonomy, and access to leadership that stays engaged without managing every decision.
• Our attorneys handle complex, high exposure matters, including multimillion dollar losses, professional liability, medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and other significant civil defense litigation.
• If you are a seasoned New Jersey defense attorney who likes to think ahead, take ownership, and practice with independence, we would like to meet you.

This Is a New Jersey Practice

We are looking for more than someone who happens to be admitted in New Jersey.

We want an attorney who knows how to litigate in New Jersey and brings at least five years of substantive insurance defense experience.

You understand local practice and procedure. You are comfortable with discovery, depositions, experts, substantive motion practice, client and carrier communication, mediation, and trial preparation.

Most importantly, you know how to take responsibility for a case and keep it moving.

Sophisticated Cases Without Getting Lost in Volume

Our New Jersey attorneys handle complex matters where judgment and strategy matter.

Cases may involve significant exposure, complicated liability issues, multiple parties, expert intensive litigation, professional liability, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death.

The current practice is busy without being built around overwhelming file volume, allowing attorneys to spend meaningful time understanding their cases, developing strategy, and advising clients.

For an experienced litigator, that means the opportunity to practice law rather than simply process files.

Autonomy With a Leader Who Stays Connected

Our New Jersey office is led by Danielle DeGeorgio, New Jersey Branch Office Managing Partner, an experienced New Jersey litigator whose practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, insurance coverage, and professional malpractice.

Danielle's leadership style is built around trust, professionalism, and collaboration.

She wants experienced attorneys to practice. You will have room to develop strategy, make decisions, and take ownership of your matters without unnecessary micromanagement.

But autonomy does not mean being left on your own.

Danielle stays connected to her attorneys and cases, is available to strategize when needed, and provides guidance before a problem becomes a problem. She believes in giving good lawyers room to work while making sure they know their leadership is there when they need it.

Help Build a Strong New Jersey Team

Tyson & Mendes has been building its New Jersey presence since 2021, and the next stage is about continuing to develop a stable, experienced, highly collaborative local team.

This is a professional environment where people are expected to communicate, take initiative, follow through, and support one another.

For Senior Counsel, joining a growing office also creates visibility. Your experience matters, your contribution is noticed, and there are opportunities to help shape the team as the practice continues to develop.

Modern Tools for Complex Litigation

• Sophisticated litigation requires more than experience. It also requires the right tools.
• Tyson & Mendes continues to invest in AI enabled legal resources, advanced research technology, modern case management systems, and tools designed to help attorneys work more effectively and reduce administrative friction.
• Our attorneys also have access to our APEX methodology, Trial Academy, and nationally recognized approach to Stopping Nuclear Verdicts®.
• APEX provides a strategic framework for approaching litigation while allowing experienced attorneys to bring their own judgment, creativity, and perspective to each matter.
• The goal is simple: give great litigators better tools to do their best work.

Who Will Thrive Here?

We are looking for an attorney with at least five years of meaningful New Jersey insurance defense experience who can independently manage complex litigation.

You are a self starter. You anticipate what comes next instead of waiting for someone to tell you. You communicate proactively with clients and colleagues. You understand the importance of deadlines, responsiveness, preparation, and professional judgment.

You are also collaborative. You enjoy exchanging ideas with other experienced attorneys, welcome another perspective when it strengthens your strategy, and contribute to the success of the people around you.

Above all, you take pride in being a New Jersey litigator and want to continue building your practice here.

Flexibility Without Isolation

• Our New Jersey team values flexibility and has successfully built a collaborative practice with remote work.
• At the same time, we believe there are moments when being together matters, particularly for trial preparation, witness preparation, strategy, mentoring, and team connection.
• With our New Jersey presence continuing to develop, attorneys will have opportunities to connect with colleagues in person while maintaining the flexibility experienced lawyers value.
• Bring Your Experience. Help Build What Comes Next.
• If you are already a strong New Jersey insurance defense attorney, you do not need someone telling you how to practice every day.
• You need challenging cases, trusted autonomy, excellent resources, modern technology, and leaders who are available when their experience can make a difference.
• That is what we are building in New Jersey.
• Join Danielle DeGeorgio and the Tyson & Mendes New Jersey team and help us build the next chapter of our practice.

Responsibilities

• Develop a case theme that is more compelling than any plaintiff ploy for sympathy or anger
• Refuse to accept mediocrity, the average, the standard or the norm in anything
• Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials
• Work as part of a team with all levels of experiences
• Routine communications with clients
• Cultivate relationships with the firm's existing and future clients
• Provide leadership and direction with respect to less experienced attorneys

Requirements

• JD from an ABA approved school
• Must be licensed in your state
• 8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically with litigation support, deposition and trial preparation
• Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including all facets of discovery and trial
• Experience handling insurance defense matters preferred
• Experience with time management systems
• Proficiency in MS Suite, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Ability to think and act independently and with minimal supervision
• Outstanding listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Professional appearance and demeanor

Compensation Package

• The base salary for this position ranges from $150,000-$200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
• Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable hours bonus ranging from $10,000 and then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier
• Comprehensive benefits coverage offered, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700-$1,700)
• Employees benefit from a 401(k) program that includes a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4-5%
• Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm) $100-$200/month
• Paid parental leave at base pay
• Employees receive a monthly technology reimbursement of $60

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate
• Comprehensive in-house training and leadership development opportunities
• Firm Provided CLE Programs and Paid Bar License Renewal Fees
• Flexible vacation policy for attorneys
• Defined pathway to partnership
• Internal diversity and inclusion programs, such as the Women's Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative
• Firm-wide charitable giving program
• Numerous social and off-site events each year to enrich your relationships with your colleagues
• Flexible Work Model: Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available